Identity Crisis is back for another year of fun

July 31, 2013

SHEPHERDSTOWN - Local celebrities, partygoers and residents alike are invited to don their best red carpet duds for this year's Identity Crisis.

The annual event takes place Saturday and will benefit Breast Cancer Awareness -Cumberland Valley. The state's oldest town will be transformed into a glamorous Hollywood hub, as eventgoers embrace their inner extroverts.

Tara Lowe, of Tara Sanders Lowe Event Promotion, has organized this event for the past three years. What began as a wig party took a more meaningful turn after she found out her wig supplier's customer base was largely comprised of cancer patients.

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Local celebrities, partygoers and residents alike are invited to don their best red carpet duds for this year’s Identity Crisis. The annual event takes place at 8 p.m. Saturday in Shepherdstown, and funds will benefit Breast Cancer Awareness — Cumberland Valley.

"It hit me like a ton of bricks that we were having so much fun and doing so much work for fun when we should be doing it for someone," Lowe said. "The very next year, it became a fundraiser."

Lowe said proceeds benefit BCA-CV because the organization works locally. With very little overhead, Lowe said she knows the funds are going to programming in the Eastern Panhandle.

"Most of the money raised not only goes to local, individual programs, but you know where it's going," Lowe said. "It's not like it will go to pay the secretary or the administrators."

Identity Crisis isn't your standard Halloween Party, Lowe said. Attendees are already talking about their alter egoes, which range from imbibing Greta Garbo to KISS and old-time gangsters. For one night, people can change their identities for the common good, Lowe said.

"Any time you change your identity ... people have more fun," Lowe said. "It's a little bit zanier."

At 8 p.m. Saturday, spectators can see about 100 people get dropped off by limousines and horse-drawn carriages at the Yellow Brick Bank. The glamorous bar crawl is sure to be star-studded - and what red carpet event would be complete without paparazzi? The infamous documentarians will be peppered throughout town to catch eventgoers at their best.

Feeling shy? That's OK. Those who don't wish to express themselves this year are still welcome to attend, Lowe said.

"No one's going to turn you away," Lowe said. "Even if you don't come in full red carpet dress, come out, support and see what it's like and you'll probably come next year."

Donated funds will come from suggested donation cover charges at venues such as Stonewall's Pub and the Mecklenberg. Others will come from drink specials and upscale watering holes, such as Domestic and the Devonshire, Lowe said.

There will be carriage and limousine rides throughout the night, as well as a raffle and silent auction. Winners for Best Identity will be named at 10:30 p.m. at the Yellow Brick Bank.